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Weird Darkness: Paranormal & True Crime Stories

“DON’T TRY TO STAY AWAKE!” and More Terrifying True Stories! #WeirdDarkness

Weird Darkness: Paranormal & True Crime Stories

Darren Marlar

History, True Crime, Society & Culture, Documentary

4.64.1K Ratings

🗓️ 12 September 2024

⏱️ ? minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Darkness Syndicate members get the commercial-free version with all artwork created for the YouTube and podcast thumbnails: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2p8588hp

IN THIS EPISODE: In 1959, a radio DJ in New York decided to conduct a publicity stunt – and it literally drove him insane. (Sleepless In New York) *** In December 1963 two boys hit upon an idea for a school science project – stay awake for as long as possible. And it shed new light on what happens inside our tired brains. (The Boy Who Wouldn’t Sleep) *** We can fight off the sandman for a while, but after a certain point, sleeplessness leads to temporary madness and possibly even death. (Don’t Try To Stay Awake) *** The infamous cursed paintings called “The Crying Boy”. Are all of the terrifying stories associated with the painting true, or have we simply created a fascinating legend we choose to believe? (The Crying Boy Painting)

CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…
00:00:00.000 = Title Story Preview and Show Open
00:03:07.091 = Don’t Try To Stay Awake
00:23:09.030 = The Crying Boy Paintings
00:34:47.876 = Show Close
SOURCES AND REFERENCES FROM THE EPISODE…
“The Crying Boy Painting” posted at Scarely.com: (link no longer valid, site shut down); video of attempt to burn “Crying Boy” painting: http://bit.ly/2Hremp1
“Sleepless In New York: The Radio DJ’s Publicity Stunt That Ended In Madness” by Esther Inglis-Arkell: (link no longer valid – site shut down)
“The Boy Who Wouldn’t Sleep” by Sarah Keating: https://bbc.in/2Hlt3Lx
“Don’t Try To Stay Awake” by Adam Hadhazy: https://bbc.in/2E6p17F
Weird Darkness theme by Alibi Music Library.
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(Over time links seen above may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)
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"I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46
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WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2024, Weird Darkness.
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Originally aired: May 15, 2019

CUSTOM LANDING PAGE: https://weirddarkness.com/donttrytostayawake/

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Here in the UK we sell amazing products and services the whole world once.

0:05.0

At the Black Farmer in Devon our producers enjoyed on both sides of the Atlantic.

0:10.0

We're McKinnon and Saunders from Manchester and our puppets are watched on six continents.

0:15.0

Whilst at Acceleron in Birmingham our sustainable, recyclable batteries are helping power nine countries.

0:21.0

So if you make it in the UK, why not sell it to the world?

0:25.0

For free help from the UK Government visit great.gov.uk

0:30.0

Things we don't like to share. That last mince pie in the pack, Yunk?

0:35.0

Things we do like to share. Gifts, especially if they're from Samsung.

0:40.0

Because this year you can claim cash back and selected Samsung products with £200 on a Galaxy Tab S8

0:46.0

and up to £300 on a selected range of TVs. That'll jingle their bells and yours.

0:51.0

Find out more at Samsung.com

0:53.0

Purchase before 20th December 22 from a participating retailer.

0:57.0

Claim from Samsung within 60 days of purchase, Tizenzees apply.

1:00.0

Stories and content and weird darkness can be disturbing for some listeners and is intended for mature audiences only.

1:07.0

parental discretion is strongly advised.

1:12.0

It's surprising how we spend our lives.

1:15.0

Reach your 78th birthday and according to some back of the envelope calculations

1:20.0

you will have spent nine of those years watching television.

1:25.0

Four years driving a car.

1:27.0

92 days on the toilet and 48 days having sex.

1:32.0

But when it comes to time consuming activities, there's one that sits head and shoulders above them all.

1:40.0

Live to the age of 78 and you may have spent around 25 years asleep.

...

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